Rep. Mike McCaul is no longer in consideration to lead the Department of Homeland Security, putting the White House "back to square one" in its search for a permanent head, Politico reported.
Former DHS secretary and current White House chief of staff John Kelly, leading the effort to replace himself, privately red-flagged McCaul, R-Texas, for not being in lockstep with President Donald Trump on immigration, Politico reported.
McCaul had been seen as the front-runner, Politico reported.
Other candidates who were on the short list:
- Thomas Homan, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Energy Secretary Rick Perry
- James Loy, a former DHS official during the George W. Bush administration
- New York Rep. Peter King, former chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee
- Interim secretary Elaine Duke continues to run DHS while the Trump administration starts over
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